The Alchemist The Characterization of The Minor Characters
gotten to my being away, and so have I. The sheep will get used to my not being there, too, the boy thought.” Coelho 28 It shows that Santiago decides to
find his treasure in the Pyramids. He wants to pursue his Personal Legend, just as what Melchizedek has said to him. He understands that everything he leaves
is only the steps toward his Personal Legend Coelho 28. Here, we can see that Melchizedek really influences Santiago’s
motivation. Santiago interacts with Melchizedek. Within this interpersonal interaction, Melchizedek influences Santiago through his wise advice. According
to Young 164, people have actions, reactions, and interactions. It means that their acts in turn further affect one’s behaviour within their interaction. Referring
to Schultz 423, Santiago is a person with external locus of control because Melchizedek controls his reinforcement. In this situation, Santiago is a pawn
person. Finally, in the next day Santiago gives Melchizedek one-tenth of his flock.
Then Melchizedek gives his advice to Santiago about the treasure. This advice is always remembered by Santiago during his journey: “In order to find the treasure,
you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.” Coelho 29
Then Santiago crosses the strait to go to Egypt. In the new continent, Santiago sees that everything is very different. “How strange Africa is, thought
the boy” Coelho 33. However, Santiago does not seem worry to what happens around him. He keeps his motivation as influenced by Melchizedek to come to the
Pyramids and to find the treasure. Santiago thinks about the omens during his time PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
crossing the strait. Melchizedek teaches him to pay more attention to signs and to omens. And he thinks that it is quite easy because he is used to learn about signs
and omens when he is a shepherd Coelho 34-35. In the situation above, we can see that Santiago maintains his motivation
just as when he decide s
to pursue his journey. Melchizedek influences
Santiago’s motivation since the first time when he is unsure about finding categorized as extrinsic motivation because Santiago changes his decision of
finding the treasure after hearing and understanding the advice from Melchizedek. Staw as cited by Petri 315 says that extrinsic motivation emphasizes the external
goals toward which the activity is directed. Weiner in Human Motivation 254 states that the concept of pawn
by de Charm is linked with
extrinsically motivated behaviour. It is proper with Santiago’s external locus of control.
Since Santiago is a new comer in Africa, he does not know a lot about the place. He has bad luck in Tangier, the harbour city. A boy who promises him to
be his guide during his journey to the Pyramids cheats him. That boy takes away all Santiago’s money. He is so sad until he cries. When Santiago is sad, he finds
two stones that are given by Melchizedek, the Urim and Thummim. Then he hands the two stones. He feels better than before because he believes that a king
gives two precious stones. These two stones remind him to what the old man has said that if he really wants something, the entire universe conspires to help him. It
shows that Melchizedek’s trait as a king also influences Santiago Coelho 40. Santiago tries to do an experiment with the two stones. He knows that the
old man’s blessing is still with him. When he puts them in his pocket, the two PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
stones fall as there is a hole in his pocket. He remembers what Melchizedek has said to him. He has to recognize omens and then follow them. And it is an omen
for him. Then he puts the two stones back in his pouch. He believes that they can fall anytime they want Coelho 41.
Santiago does not only remember to what Melchizedek has said, but he also does as what he has said. It shows that Melchizedek’s trait as a king really
influences Santiago. After realizing about the omen, Santiago gains his motivation and his confidence. It is described that Santiago feels that Africa a new place to
conquer Coelho 41. In this situation, Santiago gains back his motivation after knowing that Melchizedek’s blessing is still with him. As a shepherd, Santiago
feels very special that a king gives him a blessing. He perceives his behaviour as determined by external forces beyond his control. In this case, the two stones that
are given by Melchizedek control him. This kind of person is called pawn. And a pawn person is linked with extrinsic motivation Weiner 254.
When Santiago works at the crystal shop in Africa, he loses his motivation to find his treasure. After working for almost a year in the crystal shop, Santiago
makes a decision to get back to Andalusia and to buy many sheep. At the time when he is very unsure about his decision, he remembers the old man. He realizes
that the old man is really a king Coelho 64. It makes him thinks clearly and feels happy.
As Santiago recalls the old man, he gains his motivation back. He knows what actually he wants and he feels very happy because of that. Santiago believes
that the old man’s blessing is always with him. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
He suddenly felt tremendously happy. He could always go back to being a shepherd. He could always become a crystal salesman again. Maybe the
world had other hidden treasures, but he had a dream, and he had met with a king. That doesn’t happen to just anyone…. He held Urim and Thumim
in his hand; because of those two stones, he was once again on the way to his treasure. “I an always nearby, when someone wants to realize their
Personal Legend,” tie old king had told him. Coelho 65
When Santiago is very close to his treasure, he still remembers the old king’s advice about omen. “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow
the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.” Coelho 29 Santiago finds an omen before he
digs the dune near the Pyramids to find his treasure. “Another omen The boy begin to dig into the dune.”
Coelho 161 The character of Melchizedek in the novel has some equal characteristics
as the one in the Holy Bible. Among the Catholics, Melchizedek is a famous character for his blessing to Abraham. As we can find in the novel, Santiago is a
religious person. He has attended a seminary. In the seminary, a seminarian has an obligation to read the Holy Bible regularly. Someone who reads the Holy Bible
regularly should be aware of Melchizedek’s reputation and fame. From the first meeting, Santiago is already interrupted with this old man presence. And when he
tells who he is and his name to Santiago, Santiago feels it is strange. It may remain Santiago to the same character as he knows in the Holy Bible for he thinks
that Melchizedek says something strange. “And do you do in Salem?” he insisted.
“What do I do in Salem?” The old man laughed. “Well, I’m the king of Salem”
People say strange things, the boy thought. Sometimes it is better to be with the sheep, who don’t say anything. Coelho 19
Melchizedek has a great influence toward Santiago’s motivation in finding the treasure. The readers can find it in from the beginning until the end of the
story. Melchizedek is the first person who believes in Santiago’s dream about the Pyramids. He is also the one who supports and who gives many good advices to
Santiago. Those advices are very helpful for Santiago during his journey in searching the treasure in the Pyramids, Egypt. This is the reason why Santiago
always remembers to Melchizedek, to his advices, and misses his blessing. Melchizedek influences Santiago through his interaction with him. He
gives many advices to Santiago. His speech to Santiago and his attitude on self- control, responsibility, and leadership influence Santiago’s motivation to search
his treasure. Through Melchizedek’s advice, Santiago gains back his motivation to continue his journey. Rotter said Schultz 415, if people perceive themselves
as conscious beings, they are able to influence their experiences. Melchizedek realizes that he has
power to help people to get back their motivation toward their Personal Legend.